On May 25, Memorial Day, the Mapleton Lions Club continued its more than 30-year tradition of honoring the servicemen and women who made the supreme sacrifice for our country’s freedom.
Mapleton Lions. from left, Bob McBay, Rick Fowler and Dennis Hoffses, decorate the Veterans Monument by placing wreaths in remembrance of the men who sacrificed their all in war.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
In a low-key and quiet ceremony, the Lions Eric Rodd and Steve Hanning raised and flew the flags over the Veterans Monument. As the flags were raised, youngsters, passers-by and neighbors stopped and gave respect.
Michael Ireland, assistant pastor of the Mapleton United Baptist Church, offered prayers on behalf of all who served and those now serving. Mike is a Marine and he is listed on the Chapman Memorial Stone at Veterans Monument. The stones were decorated with three wreaths laid by Lions Bob McBay, Rick Fowler and Dennis Hoffses. The Star-Spangled Banner was played from a recording of the Presque Isle High School Band, while following a moment of silence, taps was played from a recording of 2019 Presque Isle Middle School students Christopher Nelson and Jonathan Staples.
The ceremony memorialized four tri-town servicemen who made the supreme sacrifice in war. They were: Hermon E. Condon, WWII, Mapleton; Dean W. Simpson, WWII, Mapleton; Wayne H. Thomas, Vietnam, Mapleton; and Dustin J. Libby, Iraq, Castle Hill.
The Mapleton Lions conducted the annual Mapleton Memorial Day remembrance ceremony with members observing social distancing and wearing masks in observance of the COVID-9 public outdoor meeting restrictions.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
The club displays American flags on Mapleton’s Main Street poles in honor of them and as a way to show their respect. Members and spectators were encouraged never to forget these men and their sacrifices.
Later in the afternoon, as part of a nationwide ceremony, Presque Isle High School students Hunter Stubbs, a junior, and Ricky Goupille, a senior, played taps at 3 p.m. at the Mapleton Veterans Monument.
Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the Lions observed the use of masks and social distancing and continued to honor those who have lost their lives to the virus by lowering the flags to half-staff.
Two young girls riding their bicycles showed their respect for the raising of the flags during Mapleton’s Memorial Day celebration.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
Churches reopen
On Sunday, May 30, the Mapleton United Baptist Church resumed regular services and activities. This was a special day on the Christian calendar as it was Pentecost Sunday.
Pastor Jim Ackerson announced the church would follow the state’s current guidelines for religious gatherings. He wrote to the members, “We do so because they’re in everyone’s best interest, not because the state regulates the church, but because good citizenship is the default Christian position in society. Our observing the guidelines falls in the ‘good citizen’ category.”
The church adhered to state guidelines, which included no more than 50 people in attendance and the practice of social distancing. Chairs in the auditorium were separated 6 feet from each other, with some chairs set together to allow for family groupings. The state guidelines allow those from the same household to sit together as long as they sit at least 6 feet away from non-household members.
Church members were asked to refrain from physical contact (e.g. handshaking, hugs, etc.) with those outside your household. The wearing of face coverings was requested when social distancing is difficult to maintain. Congregants should stay home if feeling ill or awaiting results of a COVID-19 test.
Akerson said as worship services resume, participation is voluntary. He asked members to use their best judgment as they alone know their personal circumstances and the factors that they must consider to engage in any public activity at this time. If the time is not yet right for a member to start attending, they may continue using the spiritual nurturing resources they have used since March. The worship service will be videoed and posted to Facebook and YouTube each Sunday.
Finally, Akerson noted that opinions vary widely regarding proper public behavior these days. Love is what counts. Show love and respect towards those around you, especially if they do not share your opinion. Treat them as you’d want to be treated if you were in their shoes. Love is the default position for all our actions, virus or not. Love and respect all others in word and deed, he said.
The West Chapman Advent Christian Church resumed regular services on Sunday, May 23. Observing mask and social distancing restrictions, church members were happy to be worshipping together again.
The State Road Advent Christian Church will continue live streaming until they are able to meet the larger group standard for the COVID-19 virus restrictions.
Terry Sandusky is the Star-Herald correspondent for Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill and can be reached at 764-4916 or at starherald.Tsandusky@gmail.com.
